"Silencio" is a song by the Irish rock band U2 and the second single from their studio album Carnaval de Luz (2026). The song was produced by Jacknife Lee, with additional production by Ryan Tedder. It was released on 24 September 2026 through Island Records, the day prior to the band's 50th anniversary.
Background
"Silencio" was first publicly heard in May 2026, while U2 were in Mexico City filming material for their forthcoming album, Carnaval de Luz. On 13 May, the band filmed at Salón Los Angeles, a historic ballroom and music venue established in 1937. During the shoot, U2 performed an unreleased song that Bono subsequently identified as "Silencio". The filming took place during the same trip in which the band shot the music video for "Street of Dreams", the album's first single.
On 18 September 2026, U2 previewed "Silencio" in a video posted to their social media accounts commemorating the band's approaching 50th anniversary. The retrospective video incorporated footage spanning U2's career before transitioning to a preview of "Silencio". The accompanying footage, included scenes of the band performing at Salón Los Angeles as well as footage shot in the desert for another video.
A second, 21-second excerpt of the song was shared through the band's U2TV Instagram channel on 20 September. U2 formally announced "Silencio" on 22 September, accompanied by another excerpt from the song, and confirmed that it would be released on 24 September 2026.
Composition
"Silencio" is a short, uptempo garage rock song incorporating elements of punk rock and surf rock. The song runs for two minutes and 35 seconds, and was described by U2 as an "homage to early surf-punk insolence". Clash characterised the track as "raw" and "ragged", comparing its sound to the band's early material.
The recording features a prominent guitar riff from the Edge, accompanied by Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums. Clash described the Edge's playing as "gnarly", while noting the "heaviness" of Clayton's bass and Mullen's drumming. Uncut similarly described the song as a "short, sharp blast of surf-punk".
Release
"Silencio" was formally announced by U2 on 22 September 2026, with the band confirming a release date of 24 September. The song was released digitally on 24 September through Island Records as the second single from the band's sixteenth studio album, Carnaval de Luz, following "Street of Dreams", which had been released in July.
The release coincided with U2's formal announcement of Carnaval de Luz, their first studio album of new material in nine years, which is scheduled for release on 13 November 2026. "Silencio" was made available as a digital download and through streaming services. The single was released one day before the 50th anniversary of the band's formation in September 1976.
Critical reception
"Silencio" received positive reviews from music critics. Robin Murray of Clash described the song as U2's "best single in...years", praising its directness and energy and comparing aspects of the track to the band's early work. NMEs Liberty Dunworth described the track as "playful" and "energetic".
Writing for Music Talkers, Andrew Braithwaite characterised "Silencio" as "short, loud and gloriously impatient", and praised the band for favouring immediacy over the more expansive sound associated with some of their previous work. He highlighted the interplay between Clayton's bass and Mullen's drums, as well as the Edge's guitar playing, and compared the song's energy to U2's earlier material.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.
U2 Bono – vocals The Edge – guitar, vocals Adam Clayton – bass guitar Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion
Additional musicians Ryan Tedder – keyboards, programming Jacknife Lee – keyboards, programming
Technical Jacknife Lee – production Ryan Tedder – additional production Duncan Stewart – engineering Matt Bishop – engineering Rich Rich – mixing Chris Gehringer – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2026) Peakposition Irish Homegrown (IRMA) 5 Italy Airplay (EarOne) 41 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) 3 UK Singles Sales (Official Charts) 39
References